Native Plants
Q. Who is Mr. Smarty Plants?
A: There are those who suspect Wildflower Center volunteers are the culpable and capable culprits. Yet, others think staff members play some, albeit small, role. You can torture us with your plant questions, but we will never reveal the Green Guru's secret identity.
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Smarty Plants Question Topics
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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| Evergreen vine for wall in Pasadena CA May 16, 2010 Hi, I am looking for an evergreen vine to cover my block wall. I saw star jasmine kept really flowing and wild and loved it but I don't like the way it will look when It blooms. I want a vine that ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of heartleaf vine May 16, 2010 Howdy! I had a plant that I would like to replace but I don't know what it is, I was hoping you could help. It was a climbing vine with large (>6") heart-shaped leaves. The underside of the leaves ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Problem with acanthus in Vancouver BC May 16, 2010 My girlfriend's Mom just planted an Acanthus in her garden. In the morning, it apparently stands up tall, but in the evening it bends over until the the leaves are lying in the dirt. She's concerned... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Evergreen flowering vine for wall in Tampa FL May 06, 2010 Mr. Smarty Plants, I live in Tampa Florida and am looking for a non toxic, evergreen, profusely flowering vine to cover a wall. It needs to be cold hardy to approx. 20F. Thanks for your help View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need suggestions for a vine to grow on a fence in Crossville, TN April 28, 2010 I would like your suggestions on a vine to grow on a fence in part shade that would look good in winter as well as summer, if possible, for a site in Crossville, TN. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for vine in Georgia April 26, 2010 A wild vine is taking over our cypress tree. Cypress tree is in our yard beside the fence. Very thick woods behind our fence. Leafs, on vine, resemble small maple leafs. It has orange flower balls.... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Plant identification for vine in Kentucky April 26, 2010 Need to know the name of a plant. It grows in Eastern KY, south WVA and West VA. It grows alone riverbanks and creeks. It is a weed, in the spring it has a white bloom and bees work it like crazy. ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Native climbing rose for Austin April 25, 2010 Is there such a thing as a native climbing rose that would do well in Austin? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of large egg-like objects on vines in Texas April 17, 2010 This past weekend we were at our deer lease in Hext,TX. My children and I went exploring along the banks of the San Saba river and found what we originally thought were some type of turtle or turkey e... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Non-invasive, native vines for flood wall in San Jose CA April 12, 2010 I was hoping you could help me with some information on vine selection. I am interested in selecting three vines for a flood wall application. Non-native species are acceptable, so long as they’re no... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Late emergence of passiflora incarnata hybrid in Austin April 11, 2010 Two years ago I planted in my clay soil garden a variation on native passiflora incarnata; the passiflora Elizabeth (a cross between passiflora incarnata and passiflora phoenicia)because I hoped it pr... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Will trumpet vine strangle tulip poplar in Elkview WV? April 08, 2010 I have a trumpet vine that I planted to grow up a tulip poplar. I did not find info that it may damage the tree prior to doing this but have recently been told that it will "strangle" the tree. Is... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Identification of vine in Ohio March 26, 2010 We were in our school's back yard and we found a vine that has green leaves and has a purple stem and we were just trying to figure out what is was? Can you help us out with that! View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Crossvine for metal barn in Fredericksburg, TX March 23, 2010 We have a backyard metal barn, the small storage-type structures that are common. Hail knocked some paint off the metal roof and rather than repaint it, we want to install some plastic webbing from th... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Perennial vine for full sun, Denton, TX March 19, 2010 I would like to grow a perennial vine that would tolerate full sun during the day. A flowering or non-flowering is fine. I do NOT want anything that is poisonous, i.e. Carolina jasmine, since this w... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Grapevine for pot in Ft. Worth March 19, 2010 Can I plant a grapevine in a large clay pot in Fort Worth, Texas? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Prickly vine for fire escape in Boston February 23, 2010 I live in Boston area and would like to plant a prickly vine that will grow on my fire escape. What do you recommend? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Why won't my Campsis cultivar flower in Lowell MA February 08, 2010 I bought a Campsis trumpet vine cultivar in 2006 and planted near my fence in my yard hoping to cover the fence with the vine. Well 4 seasons later the vine has grown about 5 ft. in area but has yet ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Need plants to cover a fence and retaining wall combination January 27, 2010 Recently we replaced our fence and I need help with plants to mask an 18 foot section of fence/retaining wall. The fence guy set the fence back about 10 inches from the top of the retaining wall which... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Blossoms but no fruit for gooseberries in Enoch UT January 16, 2010 My gooseberries always get loads of blossoms, but I never get fruit. I think they need more sun, and thus, want to transplant them to a sunnier location. What (and when) is the best way to do this? View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer |  | |
| Pruning Bittersweet Vine December 29, 2009 I am interested in learning how to prune my American bittersweet. The vine has enjoyed it's second summer in my backyard. I would like learn how to prune it, not only for size, but to help keep the... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Are grape vines killing oaks in San Antonio December 20, 2009 I have some large live oaks growing in sand on some property I have south of San Antonio that are slowly dying one limb at a time. Some large mustang grape vines are growing in and around them and I ... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine for privacy on a deck in Southern California December 10, 2009 I am looking for a climbing vine/plant that is non-flowering and can be grown year round in Southern California. We are looking to help create a private area along a deck for my grandmother because h... View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| Vine to cover fence line in Bridgeport, Texas December 04, 2009 We are looking for a year round vine that will cover our fence line. Flowering and non-flowering. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
| What to do about mildew on Trumpet Vine? November 25, 2009 My Trumpet Vine tends to get mildew on its leaves. Any suggestions? Thanks so much. View Mr. Smarty Plants' Answer | ||
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